For Immediate Release Common Cause Responds to McCarthy Redistricting Rumor

NY9 should be eliminated to create a minority influence district, not NY 5

In response to press reports today that LATFOR is considering eliminating New York's 5th Congressional District, currently represented by Carolyn McCarthy, Common Cause NY released the following analysis.

The current NY 5 is a compact well composed district. Common Cause NY made only slight revisions to the district in its reform map, renumbered as NY 4. In contrast, the current NY 4, represented by Rep. Gary Ackerman, was redrawn almost entirely within Long Island (renumbered as NY 3) to make room for a minority influence seat in Queens, using parts of NY9.

Common Cause NY redrew NY9 as a district trending minority majority. According to demographic data from the 2010 Census, NY 9 has seen a 10% loss in the voting age white population and a roughly 30%increase in the voting age Asian and Latino populations. Although the district is still majority white with over 300,000 white voting age residents compared to just over 200,000 non-white voting age residents, parts of the current district could be used to draw a district that would be competitive for an Asian candidate. As is, NY9 is a barrier preventing an Asian-influence district from being drawn.

"New York's 9th Congressional District boasts a burgeoning Asian and Latino population which cannot be ignored. The redistricting process must be driven by demographics, not the self-serving interests of the party machine," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause NY

Background

In December Common Cause NY released a set of reform redistricting maps for state and federal office. Since then, over 20,000 New Yorkers have participated in the project which has been hailed by the New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, Syracuse Post Standard, and others.

The complete set of maps can be viewed here: www.citizenredistrictny.org

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.